Haaland’s Norway take lead in Italy World Cup qualifiers group

LINZ, AUSTRIA – OCTOBER 13: Erling Haaland of Norway speaks with teammate Andreas Hanche-Olsen during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B3 match between Austria and Norway at Raiffeisen Arena on October 13, 2024 in Linz, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

Erling Haaland’s Norway beat Israel 4-2 on Tuesday, jumping to the top of Italy’s Group I before a 2026 World Cup qualifying meeting with the Azzurri in June.

Norway are the 2026 World Cup qualifiers group I table leader after round two.

Haaland’s team beat Israel 4-2 last night after a 5-0 victory against Moldova in the opening round.

Estonia also beat Moldova 3-2 away last night, reaching Israel in the standings with three points.

Italy were put in Group I following a 5-4 aggregate defeat against Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals.

The Azzurri will begin their World Cup qualifying path on June 6, visiting Norway in Oslo.

The second game will be against Moldova at home on June 9.

Italy haven’t won any of the last three matches, as a 3-1 home loss against France in November was followed by one loss and one draw against Germany in the Nations League quarter-finals during the March break.

However, the Azzurri had won four of their previous five matches (one draw) following their EURO 2024 elimination at the hands of Switzerland last summer.